How to Become a Christian

God loves you more deeply than you can even imagine. He created you with a plan and a purpose for your life. He longs to build a friendship with you and help you grow into the person he knows you can be. Going to church, saying the right things, trying to be good, or even believing in God isn’t what makes you a Christian. A Christian is someone who is a follower of Jesus, God who came in person to our world to teach, rescue, and guide us. Please don’t hesitate to talk to one of our leaders if you have questions about what you read here.

1. Believe in God as Creator and Redeemer

(Genesis 2:18-25; Exodus 20:1-26; Matthew 5:17-48; Acts 17:24-31)

a. Sovereign Creator: Out of His pleasure and freedom, God created and sustains us. Therefore, we are utterly dependent upon Him for everything we have. We have no inherent rights. God is light, which symbolizes His majesty, purity and holiness. He sets the standard of right and wrong. He is God Almighty in heaven over His creation.

b. Personal Creator: We are neither impersonal machines nor animals. Our significance is derived from our unique creation in the image of the God who is a person. God is love and made us for the purpose of communion with Him – to worship and honour Him and to fellowship with and delight in Him. He is God, the Father of us, His creatures.

Main Point: God has an absolute claim on our lives as our Creator. We’re responsible to reflect Him.

2. Believe that I am a helpless sinner before a Holy God

(Isaiah 64:6-7; Romans 1:20-25; 3:10-20; 7:7-13)

a. Definition of Sin: Willful rebellion by refusing to do what God commands; determining to do what He forbids. We find ourselves playing God – we run our lives as if God did not matter; ignoring God; trying to be self-sufficient and self-made people. We find ourselves fighting God – violating and disregarding His Law for living; wanting to decide for ourselves what is right and wrong.

b. Consequences of Sin: Death (separation). Both physical and spiritual death are due to the wrath of God.
• Living Death – separation now from God resulting in guilt, loss of identity, purposelessness, distorted relationships.
• Eternal Death – separation of our souls from God forever. Hell is a real place.

Main Point: We are self-deceived if we think we are living out of our own resources, when actually we are creatures and guilty rebels under judgment who cannot help ourselves. We have chosen to reject God.

3. Believe in Jesus Christ as the Merciful Redeemer

(Isaiah 53:1-11; Mark 10:33-34, 45; Acts 2:22-24, 36)

a. Teacher: Christ’s words and life reveal the nature of God. He communicates to our conscience, and we submit to His authority in Scripture.

b. Sin-bearer: He offered Himself as the innocent, substitutionary sacrifice for sin on behalf of all who acknowledge their sin. He took the guilt of sinners upon Himself and endured God’s judgment for it in His death on the cross. He redeems them by His blood poured out, which satisfies the just anger of a holy God against sinful people.

c. King: He rose from the dead (conquered sin and death) and ascended back to His Father to be Lord. His life of perfect obedience is now vindicated and He freely and sovereignly gives His reward of righteousness to undeserving sinners. He dispenses grace to whomever He will and rules, in love, over all united to Him.

Main Point: Jesus, as the God-man, is the only way to life – by His life, death and resurrection as Redeemer.

4. Trust in Jesus Christ alone as Saviour and Lord

(John 3:1-18; Romans 3:21-26; 10:9-13)

On the basis of these historical truths, and because Christ is alive today, God invites and commands us now to:

a. Turn from our rebellion to Christ as Lord with our whole selves in our

(i) mind: agree with God that we have wronged Him and deserve His judgment;

b. Trust in nothing that we can do, but only in the finished work of Christ as Saviour with our

(i) mind: recognize Christ as the necessary and sufficient payment for sin;

(ii) emotions: long for Christ and rejoice in His love for the undeserving;

(iii) will: commit our lives to Christ by casting ourselves upon Him as our only hope for reconciliation with God. Transfer our trust from ourselves to Him. Take for ourselves His gift of forgiveness and righteousness. Ask God for mercy.

Main Point: A person can only become a Christian by turning from a sinful life to Christ and by trusting in Him as Saviour and Lord. There is a cost to becoming a disciple of Jesus. Read Mark 8:34-38 and Luke 14:25-33. Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to turn and trust. (Adapted from the book by Will Metzger, Tell the Truth)

My Response:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ,

I know that I am a helpless sinner before your holiness. I understand that I can never be good enough. I know I can never earn your favour. But I believe You died and rose again to purchase a place in heaven for me.

Lord Jesus, come into my life; take control of my life; forgive my sins and save me. I repent of my sins and now place my trust in You for salvation. I accept the free gift of eternal life.

Amen.

Living as a follower of Jesus was never meant to be done in isolation. We are here to help you figure out your next steps. Please let us know about your decision or interest in becoming a Christian by submitting this form.
We’d love to get in touch with you!